Comair sues airport, files against FAA over plane crash

Comair on Friday moved to spread the blame, and costs, for the August crash of Flight 5191 by filing actions against the Federal Aviation Administration and the Lexington Airport Board.

The administrative action against the FAA is "a required procedural step" to any claim for damages against the United States based on the agency's actions, Comair said in a news release.

The regional carrier also filed a lawsuit in federal district court in Kentucky, asking for a declaratory judgment that the airport board, other airport officials and the United States share responsibility for the crash.

"Comair is committed to ensuring prompt, fair and reasonable compensation for the families and all victims of this tragic accident," said Don Bornhorst, president of the airline. "We filed the lawsuit and administrative claim to help resolve in a timely manner how costs for the victims' families are shared fairly and reasonably among all parties who share responsibility for this incident."

Comair Flight 5191 apparently took a wrong turn and tried to take off from a runway meant for private planes just before dawn Aug. 20 for a flight bound for Atlanta. The plane was apparently unable to gain enough speed to get the lift it needed to take off from the too-short runway, crashed into a wooded area near the airport and caught fire.

Of the 50 people aboard, only the co-pilot survived.

Erlanger-based Comair is a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines (Pink Sheets: DALRQ).